When you have a large collection of digital photographs, there likely comes a time when you want to add cool effects to images. These can range from wacky and fun to serious retouching. With these freeware and shareware downloads, you can apply a myriad of different effects to your images.
While many of these programs can apply effects to a single image, others can also perform batch photo editing and apply effects to many different types of images like JPG, PNG, GIF and even PSD Photoshop images.
If there is a tool here you find that isn't freeware, there is always the chance to take advantage of the free trial period.
FreeVimager is a free image viewer and editor. It can play AVI and audio files.
FreeVimager can apply special effects to a picture, view EXIF data, create PNG graphics, create slideshows and optimize graphics.
GIMP is an open-source and free Photoshop alternative (for Windows).
GIMP for Windows can add text to an image, apply special effects to a picture, view EXIF data, create animated GIFs, create PNG graphics, create web graphics and create and edit layers.
Free paint software for creative artists and amateurs with a number of drawing tools, image enhancements and effects for creating digital art.
Krita can add text to an image, apply special effects to a picture, create web graphics and create and edit layers.
A multi-format graphics viewer and converter.
XnView can apply special effects to a picture, view EXIF data, create PNG graphics, create slideshows, optimize graphics and convert RAW to JPG.
A RAW image editor, free and full of easy and useful features.
Raw Therapee can apply special effects to a picture and convert RAW to JPG.
Works with different types of camera RAW files and applies filters.
Able RAWer can apply special effects to a picture and convert RAW to JPG.
Photo retouching software with scrapbooks, collages, slideshows and social media integration.
Adobe Photoshop Elements can apply special effects to a picture, view EXIF data, create web graphics and optimize graphics.
Advanced image viewing software with some editing functionality, EXIF support and fast slideshow generation.
JPEGView can apply special effects to a picture, view EXIF data, create PNG graphics and convert RAW to JPG.
Portable Windows version of the popular free image editor GIMP.
Portable GIMP can add text to an image, apply special effects to a picture, create web graphics, optimize graphics, create and edit layers and convert RAW to JPG.
Pinta image editor is a freeware paint program with code based on paint.NET.
Pinta can add text to an image and apply special effects to a picture.
A fast, stable, user-friendly image browser, converter and editor.
FastStone Image Viewer can apply special effects to a picture, view EXIF data, create PNG graphics, create web graphics and convert RAW to JPG.
A popular graphics editor translated from Japanese to English.
Pixia is software which can apply special effects to a picture.
A fully-packed image editor and organization utility with several useful features.
StudioLine Photo Classic Plus can apply special effects to a picture, view EXIF data, create slideshows, optimize graphics and convert RAW to JPG.
Very versatile photo viewer, digital image editing and archiving software.
CodedColor PhotoStudio Pro can apply special effects to a picture, view EXIF data and batch process images.
Batch image renamer/resizer.
Image Tuner Batch Photo Resizer can apply special effects to a picture, view EXIF data, optimize graphics, convert RAW to JPG and batch process images.
Powerful graphics editing software that integrates AI, HDR effects and a range of artistic filters and tools.
Corel Paint Shop Pro can add text to an image, apply special effects to a picture, create animated GIFs and create web graphics.